2024 May 8
Text of Memo – see pdf original here: IH2024 NZ letter of No Confidence
The Interhash Council received this memo today and has been asked to publish it on the Interhash.com website. It is also posted here FYI: ====================================== HHHI,
It is with regret that I have to send this letter to the Interhash Council (IC), designed as an open letter for the world hashing community to receive. It is the wish of the New Zealand hash to protect our reputation as individuals, as a whole and as a hashing destination, by informing as early as we are able that there are potential issues with the event based in New Zealand. The issue of this letter is a direct result of a motion raised at the GMs meeting 16th April 2023, details of the motion attached.
New Zealand Hash House Harrier clubs as a whole, withdraw any and all support of holding the 2024 Interhash
Below I outline at a high level the reasons and history of how we got here. You’ll forgive me for not going into unnecessary detail in parts as there is some assumed knowledge and background.
There has been some discord and distrust with the Interhash bid from the beginning largely arising from the bidder’s lack of consultation with NZ clubs prior to lodging.
We’re aware the circumstances around awarding Interhash to NZ was less than ideal through covid, but there is also the added lack of sufficient due diligence undertaken by IC prior to awarding the event.
NZ did our best to surround the event GM with the addition of many new members to form a skilled committee to undertake the event. NZ hashers also proactively engaged IC who tried to provide advice and direction to the event GM. This new committee disbanded when committee voting was vetoed, financial transparency and access was not obtained, and the event GM decided a limited company was a better setup than an incorporated society, not something the rest of the committee supported.
There have been a number of keen and positive hashers willing to help, with the latest succeeding to get onto the bank account where all the rego monies were being accumulated, to try and add some comfort to those concerned that only one man
had access to all the finances, only some 9 months before the event. Despite ongoing advice and feedback from NZ hashers and IC, the event management has a history of wrongly identifying committee members on the website, multiple changes of venue and continual talk that ‘everything is sorted’ with no substance to verify.
This has given New Zealand hashers cause for concern and alarm to the point we feel it necessary to notify attendees and potential attendees of Interhash of New Zealand HHH decision to no longer support the event. Further information about IC input can be found at interhash.com.
Also, it is with regret we aren’t able to offer paid attendees any further support. Any queries should be directed to the event GM. This letter is a statement of position, and we have no further comments at this stage.
Again it is with sadness and heavy heart I am in the position to issue this, rest assured this is the result of over a year of consultation with all parties.
New Zealand Hashers wish you to not take this as a reflection on us, but instead appreciate the early warning that we can extend
Signed
FknFeIFoFum – NZGM
Bird Table – ex NZGM 21-23
Shunter – ex NZGM 19-21
Mimi – ex NZGM 17-19
Cynthia Dever
Teazemaid – ex NZGM 15-17
Metal Mickey – ex NZGM 13-15
Details of motion proposed with final wording pre-approved by Hound (exNZGM) –
16th April 2023
Subject: Letter of no/withdrawal of support for NZ Interhash 2024
Background:
A meeting was held following Nash Hash 16th April 2023 in attendance were all the
NZ Club GMs and ex NZGMs available. One agenda item, an update to theattendees of details of Interhash 2024. There has been some concern the event is in distress after the previous committee surrounding the event GM (Bluevain) disbanded.
Bluevain was unable to satisfy the room that the event was under control.
Proposer: Hound (ex NZGM)
Seconder: Some Mothers (ex NZGM)
Motion:
That NZ HHH as a whole, withdraw any and all support of holding the 2024 Interhash with the present committee structure in place for the following reasons.
1. Some 10 months out (now 9) from the event, no venue, catering,
transportation or financial sponsorship has been secured.
2. The present structure is Autocratic with little or no expertise. Many experienced members of the original committee have resigned due to the chairman (BlueVain) not allowing the correct legal structures and delegated authorities to be put in place for the protection of the event, its organisers and those paying to attend.
3. The finances are not transparent, nor are they protected by multiple signatories (there are now multiple signatures however still discrepancies in the accounts are yet to be reconciled)
4. The Event GM has been given multiple serious offers of assistance in organising and setting up the correct legal procedures to run the event. All have been turned down. Assurances have been verbally given by him but never followed through.
We therefore believe that Hashers who are registering for Interhash 2024 in its present format are at risk of losing their financial commitment.
An email to this effect should be sent immediately to the World Hashes and the Interhash Council, with a repeat of that same email resent, 30 days after the first. ============================
Post Meeting Note (PMN): the delay in releasing this motion is as a result of a final attempt to further offer to assist the event GM from the current NZGM. Letter released on breakdown of negotiations.
Motion supported by the GMs and ex NZGMS present on the 16th April 2023
Toy Boy WENDY Ringo
Gypsey 2 Humps RLD
Metal Mickey Dagy Rigid Rabbit
Sharkey FknFeFiFoFum Teddy Bare
Bolyx Handz The Mop
IQ20 Father Meli
Noodles Tight Bolt Demon Dave
LGFM Handle Lone Ranger
MaddonEr Teazemaid Mimi
Shunter Bird Table